Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting viewable by weblink

Contact: Kevin Jacob, Future Oxfordshire Partnership Senior Democratic Services Officer  Email: kevin.jacob@southandvale.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

25.

Apologies for absence, substitutes; declarations of interest, Chair's announcements

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor Michael Brooker, West Oxfordshire District Council, Councillor Andy Cooke, Vale of White Horse District Council, (substituted by Councillor Ron Batstone), Councillor Jo Robb, South Oxfordshire District Council, (substituted by Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye), and Councillor Richard Webber, Oxfordshire County Council.

 

It was noted that Councillor David Turner, (South Oxfordshire District Council) and Councillor Sean Woodcock, (Cherwell District Council) had to leave the meeting at approximately 19:30.

 

The Chair declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Oxford Civic Society on the grounds that a representative of the Civic Society was making an address to the Panel under the public participation item.

 

The Chair commented that as at the previous meeting it was intended focus the majority of the time available for discussion on a number of key items where it was most required and invited Panel members to be as concise as possible in order so that all members who wished to speak had an opportunity to do so.

26.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 352 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2023.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2023 were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

 

As a matter arising, a number of members referred to the suggestion by Suzanne McIvor in her statement to the Panel that it ask the Future Oxfordshire Partnership to request that the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership immediately publish the evidence supporting the refresh of the Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan. The Chair indicated that the consideration of this issue could be dealt with as part of the Panel’s discussion of the latest version of the Plan later in the meeting.

27.

Public participation

Members of the public may submit an address or question in writing to the Scrutiny Panel, where full notice of the question or address is given to the secretariat no later than 17:00 on Monday 11 September 2023.  Questions and addresses submitted should be no longer than one side of A4 paper in Arial 12 font. The address or question will be circulated to the Panel and public speakers will be invited to speak at the virtual meeting. Written submissions may also be read out by the Chair or Democratic Services Officer where requested or if the person making the request for public speaking is not able to attend the meeting. A response may be given at the meeting or a written answer supplied. Questions and notice of addresses must be submitted to futureoxfordshirepartnership@southandvale.gov.uk

 

Note: This meeting may be recorded for live broadcast via the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s YouTube Channel - at the start of the meeting the Chair will confirm the meeting is being filmed. By registering to speak you are consenting to being recorded and to the use of those video and audio recordings for webcasting.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was noted that two written statements and questions had been submitted and circulated to the Panel in advance of the meeting. Full copies of the statements and questions are available here.

 

Deborah Glass-Woodin gave a statement on behalf of the Oxfordshire Doughnut Economics Collective, (ODEC). She commented that the latest version of the Strategic Economic Plan (v2), (which had been reviewed with only 24 hours’ notice) failed to take account of concerns regarding its process and content raised by the Scrutiny Panel at its 18 July meeting, reported to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership on 25 July 2023.

 

The view was expressed that whilst the current draft of the Strategic Economic Plan used the language of the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision it continued to side-line social and environmental issues and maintained a focus on economic growth. It made no attempt to address or quantify a worsening social and environmental crisis and measurement was limited to labour supply. There was no robust framework or delivery plan and no evidence base was available of the independent economic review. The Strategic Economic Plan was not fit for purpose and the Panel was asked to request a pause so the ODEC’s proposal to establish a new Strategic Economic Partnership for Oxfordshire could be looked into.

 

The Strategic Economic Partnership was a proposal to create a multi-sector, multi-stakeholder community partnership connecting the existing activity and networks in Oxfordshire into a partnership, with the purpose of generating an economic strategy that meets everyone’s needs within the means of the Earth. The partnership would be inclusive, embraced the latest economic theory and would be able to unite organisations. It would not be just another networking group, but would bring existing groups and activity together which would challenge the process and narrative of the Strategic Economic Plan and apply  Doughnut Economics as a holistic framework to balance the multiple complex issues in a way that is regenerative, redistributive and collaborative. The Panel was asked to refer to the evidence for a different approach to Oxfordshire Economic Strategyprovided by attendees to the ODEC workshop: A better future for Oxfordshire, held on 8th September in the pre-workshop survey.

 

Ian Green had submitted a written statement on behalf of Oxford Civic Society that agreed with Panel’s previous requests that the Oxfordshire Local Economic Partnership ensure that the Strategic Economic Plan include all the outcomes of the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision for Long Term Sustainable Development; and that equal focus is applied to them including wellbeing and the environment.

 

In the view of the Oxford Civic Society, Oxfordshire had a plethora of strategic plans and strategic planning processes continued to be constrained by the lack of an overall spatial plan for the distribution of employment and housing towards 2050. Although felt to be more of a horizon scanning document, the Strategic Economic Plan still needed to comment on the spatial implications of what was proposed without recommending a particular strategy and potentially be revised to accommodate social and/or environmental spatial requirements.

 

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

Future Oxfordshire Partnership response to Scrutiny Panel recommendations pdf icon PDF 169 KB

To consider the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s response to the recommendations from the Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 18 July 2023.

Minutes:

The Chair referred to the responses of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership to the recommendations of the Panel at its July meeting.

29.

Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal: Update at the end of Quarter 1 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 248 KB

To consider a report to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership setting out the Quarter 1, 2023/2024 progress report for the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report which set out an update on progress, spend and housing delivery for schemes included as part of the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth deal as at the end of Quarter 1 2023/2024.

 

The Panel noted that as of Quarter 1, the Housing from Infrastructure, (HfI) programme was over profiled by £2.650m compared to available funding. Whilst acknowledging that a bid for additional funding had been made to Homes England’s Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund in respect of the Lodge Hill scheme, the Panel was concerned about the possible budget shortfall and knock on negative effect on other schemes in the programme if the bid was not successful.

 

Andrew Down, Future Oxfordshire Partnership Director commented that the bid was an application for all the costs of the Lodge Hill scheme. If approved in its entirety this could mean there would not be a need to draw any funds from the Housing and Growth Deal HfI budget for Lodge Hill, freeing up funds to support the delivery of the rest of the programme. The Panel was also informed that although it had to be recognised that risks to the delivery of all the schemes in the programme could not be completely ruled out, it was expected that enough would change over the remaining life of the programme to lead to a balanced position and delivery of the currently agreed programme.

 

Members of the Panel made the general point that it was important for what they considered to be commitments by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver specific schemes within the programme be honoured. The Panel was reminded that under the Partnership’s revised Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding, the County Council was wholly responsible for the delivery of the programme and that discussions would be held between the County and any affected district councils if any changes to the programme were required. 

 

Various members of the Panel also raised a number of locally specific points and concerns with regard to the delivery of individual schemes and allocation of funds listed in the current HfI programme. This included the proposed schemes at Former RAF Upper Heyford/Junction 10 M40, the Benson Relief Road, Howes Lane/Lords Lane Bicester, and Banbury Road Roundabout Bicester. The point was made that in some cases, non-delivery of a HfI project could have a significant adverse impact on the allocation of housing by the districts within their current and emerging individual Local Plans.

 

Members were encouraged to raise any concerns regarding specific schemes with officers within their authority so that they could contact the appropriate officers in the County Council.

 

After further discussion the Panel also felt that a ‘lessons learnt’ exercise should be completed at the conclusion of the programme.

 

RESOLVED: The Panel recommended to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership that:

 

1.     The Partnership reiterate the continued importance of on-going discussions and communications between Oxfordshire County Council (the responsible authority for the Housing from Infrastructure Programme) and the districts about the status of the programme and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

Refreshing the Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan pdf icon PDF 6 MB

To consider a draft of the Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan prior to consideration by the Future Oxfordshire Partnership on 26 September 2023. The full document and a covering report will be published as soon as it is available, expected on 12 September 2023.

 

A presentation is attached giving a summary of the draft and the process followed to date in the development of the Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan and giving further information.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a summary of the Strategic Economic Plan, (SEP) v1 as included in the original agenda and a full copy of the revised 2nd draft of the Plan and cover report circulated to the Panel and published on the 12 September. Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, (OxLEP) introduced the draft plan and responded to questions from members.

 

The Chair clarified that the Strategic Economic Plan was an OxLEP document and the final decision on its agreement would be taken by the OxLEP board. The latest draft was being brought to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership to note and for comment and the Panel had the opportunity to put forward its own comments and recommendations. 

 

Nigel Tipple confirmed that the latest version of the draft Plan was being brought to the September Future Oxfordshire Partnership, (FOP) meeting cycle for comment not approval. He apologised that it had not been possible to make the draft available earlier but stressed that the Plan had been made available to all parties at the same point including the Board of OxLEP and was now in wide circulation. Points made to the Panel by way of introduction were in summary:

 

·           An explanation was given of the Plan’s development and approval timeline as set out in paragraph nine of the covering report. Feedback on the 2nd draft could be made to 6 October and OxLEP Board sign off the final version of the Plan and Action Plan was expected in December 2023.

·           Comments made by the Scrutiny Panel and others previously had been carefully considered and despite the challenging deadlines for FOP reports, many of the comments had been taken on board and reflected in the revised draft.

·           The Plan’s evidence base was in the process of being collated into a single document which would be published on the OxLEP website and which accompany the next draft of the Plan.

·           The Plan was looking to a ten year event horizon, but it fully recognised that there had been seismic changes over that last ten years and were likely to be further seismic changes over the next ten years and it would be necessary to monitor the impacts, refreshing the Plan over time.

 

At this point, the Chair invited members of the Panel to ask detailed questions of clarification followed by an exchange of views leading into a discussion of recommendations to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership. Nigel Tipple indicated that further direct feedback from the Panel was welcomed and the Chair thanked him for the detail answers and clarifications he provided.

 

A detailed discussion followed around the following themes:

 

·           Democratic oversight of the SEP process. Concerns were expressed by a number of members around what was felt to be a lack of democratic oversight, particularly in light of decision of HM Government to cease funding for local enterprise partnerships and to transfer functions to upper tier authorities from March 2024.

·           Recognition of agriculture. The Panel felt that the draft document  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

Advisory Group Updates

32.

Infrastructure Advisory Group update pdf icon PDF 405 KB

To receive the summary notes from the Infrastructure Advisory Group held on 3 July 2023.

Minutes:

The Panel received the notes of the Infrastructure Advisory Group held on 3 July 2023. It was noted that there was a minor typo within minute 79 about the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan – Area Travel Plan update which officers indicated would be corrected,

32a

Housing Advisory Group update pdf icon PDF 280 KB

To receive the summary notes from meetings of the Housing Advisory Group held on 11 July 2023.

 

Minutes:

The Panel received the notes of the Housing Advisory Group held on 11 July 2023.

32b

Environment Advisory Group update pdf icon PDF 286 KB

To receive the summary notes of the meeting of the Environment Advisory Group held on 7 July 2023.

Minutes:

The Panel received the notes of the Environment Advisory Group held on 7 July 2023.

32c

Planning Advisory Group update

To receive the summary notes from the meeting of the Planning Advisory Group held on 21 July 2023.

Minutes:

It was noted that these notes had not been included in the supplementary agenda as planned and would therefore be circulated as part of the next Panel agenda.

33.

Work programme for the Scrutiny Panel and action log - September 2023 pdf icon PDF 150 KB

To discuss the draft work programme for the Panel and status of actions from the previous meeting.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair referred to the Panel’s work programme and action log as set out in the agenda.

 

The Panel was informed that it intended to have an item at the November meeting on the County Council’s Vision Zero initiative. This was on the basis that it was an enabler of sustainable development and that the implementation of the Vision Zero commitment initiative had specific work and responsibilities for district councils which would require coordination at countywide level which it was felt was within the wider remit of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership.

 

The Panel was also informed that there had been a request from the Vice-Chair to add an item to the work programme for a briefing on Oxfordshire County Council’s ‘Decide and Provide’ approach to requirements for transport assessments as set out in the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan Policy 36. A briefing on the policy and the implications of this approach to infrastructure planning had been given by county council officers to Oxfordshire County Council councillors in September and as a first step it was hoped to be able to share a copy of a recording and supporting information to members of the Panel. Consideration would then be given to examining whether Decide and Provide fell within the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s and Panel’s scope and remit.

 

Members of the Panel were reminded that if they wished to receive an update from a particular chair of a Partnership advisory group, they should let the Chair know.

 

Councillor John Broad commented that the work programme included a briefing on Doughnut Economics, but that it was shown as unscheduled. He also referred to the public statement submitted by the Oxfordshire Doughnut Economic Collective to the Panel about the draft Strategic Economic Plan which also referred to and advocated a Doughnut Economics approach to economic planning. At the request of the Chair, Andrew Down advised the Panel that it should take a cautious approach to engagement around Doughnut Economics which maintained the need for the Panel to be seen as impartial and which was mindful of the limit of the Panel’s remit. Unlike a statutory scrutiny committee, the Panel did not for instance have the power to commission specific pieces of work. Whilst it was not an issue to have a briefing on the subject, he was not convinced that the Panel was the appropriate route to provide it. It was agreed that advice from the Partnership’s Monitoring Officer would be sought on the issue including on whether the Panel might recommend to the Partnership that it receive its own briefing.

 

At the request of the Chair, Susan Harbour provided an update on the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s Focus and Delivery Workshop to be held on 26 September. The Panel Chair and Vice-Chair had been invited to attend the event along with council leaders, advisory group members and other key stakeholders. It was intended to consider ideas suggested for joint working between the councils in support of the delivery of the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

34.

Dates of next meetings

The dates of confirmed future Scrutiny Panel meetings are below. Please refer to https://futureoxfordshirepartnership.org/meetings/ for the most up to date information on times and locations.

 

·           Tuesday 21/11/23

·           Monday 22/01/24

·           Monday 11/03/24

 

Minutes:

The dates of future meetings as set out in the agenda were noted.

 

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